Climate skeptics flood Congress, but have little traction with young Americans

The midterm elections brought an unprecedented number of climate skeptics into Congress, with no incoming Republicans acknowledging the existence of man-made climate change. Environmentalists have all but given up on passing significant climate legislation in the near future, but in the long term, it may be difficult for climate skeptics to hold their ranks: Young Americans are significantly more concerned about global warming than older generations, and there are no major organizations of young climate skeptics.

After election, prospects for environmental legislation dim

After a year of frustration in the Senate for environmentalists and climate activists, a slowly building expectation that it would be nearly impossible to pass significant climate legislation in the chamber in the near future appears to have been cemented last night.

Report: White House kept key information from public in weeks after oil spill

The national oil spill commission released four reports today assessing the government’s response to the Gulf oil spill. One, “The Amount and Fate of the Oil Spill,” offers new details on how the government and BP estimated the size of the spill following the Deepwater Horizon explosion. It suggests that the government kept key information from the public in the weeks after the spill, with the White House in at least one case rejecting a request by government scientists to reveal to the public worst-case scenario flow rate data.

Environmentalists look forward: An interview with the Sierra Club’s Brune

“Over the next 20 years, how steep can we make cuts in oil consumption while allowing the economy to flourish and while creating more jobs rather than penalizing individual workers or communities?” asks Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club.

Koch has donated $2.5 million to campaigns since 2006

A new Greenpeace report finds that the Koch Brothers, via their PAC, contributed $2.51 million since the beginning of the 2006 election cycle to lawmakers’ campaigns, more than any other oil and gas industry PAC. At the same time, the…

House passes bill to make rural homes more energy efficient

Poll: One in five Americans thinks defunct ACORN will steal next election

Public Policy Polling has proven, once again, that one in five Americans will signal their belief for just about anything. The group’s poll today notes that 20% of Americans think that ACORN will steal the election for Democrats,

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Enviro groups push Obama for 60 mpg fuel efficiency standard

BP’s latest oil spill cleanup bill: $128.5 million

With Washington pressing for wind energy, companies fight over infrastructure investments

The Obama administration has made it clear it wants to ramp up the use of renewable energy like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy. But while utilities see green energy as a major growth prospect, they’re grappling with how to install and pay for lines to move energy — especially wind energy — to where it’s needed.